My handcrafted jewelry blog featuring everything from unusual bracelets to chandelier earrings. The jewelry I make can be seen at www.clunygreyjewelry.com or at www.leslieturtlejewelry.com. A world of gemstones awaits!

Sunday, March 15, 2015

I've finally had my fill of snow. I'm ready for Spring, for the cherry blossoms, for kayaks, and for walks in the neighborhood. I'm also ready for more jewelry, as I am always! Above, the first bracelet is a favorite of mine for 2 reasons: it features iolites, the "water sapphires" that are a pretty dark blue, and the tiny Karen Hill Tribes sterling silver beads that make such great strands with gemstones. Lots of little sterling charms dangle at intervals along the bracelet. Below, a labradorite bracelet that is a simple one strand bracelet with every single labradorite gemstone having flash. Some flash is that beautiful, desirable dark blue, some flash is dark green, some light green, and some even has what looks like a bit of pink in it. A single loveletter charm hangs at one side of the bracelet, and the sterling clasp is a hand-decorated rectangle I import myself directly from Bali.

Labradorite Bracelet

White rainbow moonstone and genuine aquamarine

Above, this is an aquamarine bracelet that has been accented by very pretty almost translucent white faceted rainbow moonstone. It would be perfect for a gift for someone with a March birthday who may not wear a lot of aqua or blue - and it will look great with a summer tan!

I've been going through my freshwater pearl stash lately and playing with the differently colored pearls and the result is what you see here. I love the freshwater pearl necklace above with the creamy marquise pearls separated by silk colored Swarovski crystals. The necklace has a sterling silver toggle clasp. This necklace is very rich looking; the pearls have a marvelous lustre. Below, yes, those are fuschia pearls, both potato and rectangular. The perfect necklace for jazzing up that plain navy blue business suit!

Fuschia Freshwater Pearl Necklace

Below, oval coin pearls (freshwater) are in a dark blue. This simple necklace looks great with everything from blue jeans to a cocktail dress.

Freshwater Pearl Necklace in Dark Blue

As always, purchases over $50.00 receive FREE first class shipping in the USA, AUSTRALIA, & CANADA! Only $1.95 for purchases under $50.00.

Sunday, February 15, 2015

At 18 degrees here outside, I know that there are other people dreaming of Spring (not I; I love this!) Just a couple of pieces today that I've finished this weekend. Above and below, a gemstone bracelet in rhodochrosite, a pink gemstone that is relatively rare on the jewelry scene. This bracelet has 4 strands: one of gemstones, two of Thai Karen Hill Tribes tiny sterling silver beads accented with a few rhodochrosites, and a sterling silver oval-linked chain with sterling silver charms, a fleur de lis and 2 puffy hearts. The clasp is a sterling toggle. This will shortly be on the Gemstone Bracelets page on the Cluny Grey Jewelry website.

Below are two stackable bracelets made of green rutilated quartz. I love this gemstone and it is a beautiful fresh green with just a touch of lime perhaps, but I have more difficulty photographing it for some reason than almost any other gemstone. I love the little hammered hearts on the second bracelet! These will go on the Gemstone Bracelets page shortly, and you will be able to buy them together or separately.

Below, aqua freshwater pearls and tiny little Thai Karen Hill Tribes beads lead to a large modern pendant of faceted faux aqua quartz in this pendant necklace. This is in the JewelrybyChloemarie Etsy store that I have.

Aqua Freshwater Pearl Pendant Necklace

Don't forget that all purchases from the Cluny Grey site over $50.00 ship FREE!

Thursday, February 12, 2015

It's cold and gray here in Arlington, Virginia, but that's okay because when it's cold and gray outside, I get lots of work done inside. And I have so much work to do! I am looking forward to my visit from my Brazilian daughter, Fernanda, next week! She is always a breath of fresh air, and I haven't gotten to see her for a while. Thank goodness she has a job that brings her to the US periodically and allows her to come to see us. We've known her since she was 16 and came to stay with us in Arkansas. We have seen her almost every year after that, (and occasionally several times each year) with the exception of a couple of years when she was beginning her career (she is an engineer and businesswoman). I've been working on jewelry both for the Cluny Grey site and for my new Etsy site. The Cluny Grey site features the new bracelet above that is made of Australian mookaite and sterling silver. Mookaite happily possesses one of Pantone's colors of the year: marsala, which is prevalent in the bracelet you see here. Mookaite also has other vibrant shades varying from mustard to rose to red and all shades in between in the warm spectrum. Below, a labradorite bracelet with sterling silver and lots of flash which may not be readily visible here. The true beauty of labradorite displays with movement.

Labradorite Bracelet with Sterling Silver

The bracelet below is another labradorite bracelet, but this time mixed with genuine amethyst. I chose the name Velvet Orchid because there was something about the bracelet that reminded me of the dark, mysterious Tom Ford perfume of the same name. The special accents here include the pretty box clasp with a cabochon labradorite inset into the swirling top, and a plethora of labradorite and amethyst gemstone charms hanging from huge rings on one side of the bracelet. A special note: the amethysts in the bracelet are gemstone (high) quality.

Labradorite and Amethyst Bracelet with Sterling Silver

I have so many new pieces in myEtsy shop, JewelrybyChloemarie, that I can't mention them all, but here are a few: 1. A "Downton Abbey" Edwardian style necklace with genuine pale blue freshwater pearls, and white opal Swarovski crystals leading to antiqued gold filigree with more opal Swarovskis and a blue rhinestone in the center of the oval filigree. Very romantic.

Edwardian Pearl Necklace

2. A pretty 14 karat gold-filled chain necklace with a lotus charm and an amethyst charm. The amethyst is there for 2 reasons: first, because it is a sacred stone to Buddhists, and second, because it is the February birthstone.

Gold and Amethyst Lotus Necklace

3. Another lotus necklace, this one featuring a rectangular plaque with the lotus in silver-plate and a pretty translucent amethyst nugget hanging from a silver chain.

Silver Lotus Necklace with Genuine Amethyst

4. A lotus necklace in vermeil and genuine ruby (the tears of the Buddha were said to be rubies).

Gold Lotus Necklace with a Genuine Ruby

5. Below, an amulet necklace featuring a globe made of gemstone and glass with an amethyst charm because amethyst has been used as protection for travelers for thousands of years. All metal components are 14 karat gold-filled.

Gold Amulet Necklace for Travelers' Protection - with Amethyst

6. A favorite necklace of mine (and I'm making one for myself and my 5 year old grand-daughter has requested one) is this freshwater pearls necklace of gray pearls and gold chain dangling a huge bluish-gray rectangular crystal. It is so luxe looking!

Pearl Necklace with Large Crystal Pendant

I hope these cold, gray days are inspiring for you, too! And if you are further northeast than I am, know that I am envying your snow! I want snow!!! (Well, a reasonable amount anyway). Ciao for now, joolies!

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

I love color in the middle of cold winter. Above and below, Pierres a Trois is a gemstone bracelet with a strand of citrine a strand of garnet, and a strand of apatite. Sterling silver charms hang around the bracelet and a sturdy sterling silver toggle clasp is the closure. Guaranteed to go with something you have in your closet!

Below, purple goes so well with labradorite whether it's in the form of Swarovski crystals (tanzanite color) or in this case, genuine gemstone amethyst. Very flashy labradorite and pretty quality amethysts make this bracelet very special. With sterling silver accents and a wonderful sterling box clasp with a cabochon amethyst set into the top. A plethora of labradorite and amethyst charms hang from rings on one side of the bracelet.

Perk up your spirits these cold days. Buy some new jewelry to add that je ne sais quoi to your boring winter clothes! Remember that shipping is free!

Sunday, January 04, 2015

I am extremely fond of garnets and wear them almost everyday. I have an oval garnet ring I love that I've had for many years; it goes with everything and especially looks good with black. I have made myself a garnet nugget bracelet that I wear also almost everyday. The garnets are large (large garnets are hard to come by) and the flat faceted nuggets really catch the light. The best part is that garnet jewelry goes from an everyday situation to a dressy one and looks perfect for both. Above and below, a garnet bracelet very like the one that I wear almost everyday. 14 karat gold-filled beads and accents look great with the deep red garnets.

Garnet necklaces are good for every occasion. Again, both of these necklaces can be worn to work and then out to dinner or a party. The garnet necklace below features gem-quality faceted oval garnets that give it a really feminine look.

I love fluorite! Below is the newest fluorite bracelet to grace the Cluny Grey website. The faceted nuggets are especially colorful and pretty. The focal lampwork beads pulls all the fluorite colors together.

NEW: Some of you may know that I have opened an Etsy shop called JewelrybyChloemarie to sell my jewelry that I make that may not be on the website. I've had a love affair with vintage costume jewelry since I can remember and many of the pieces that you find there are made with Czech beads, vintage beads, crystal, Swarovski, gold-plate, silver-plate, brass, and bronze. Everything from minimal necklaces with a single drop to assemblage necklaces can be found here. Below is a bracelet that I've been making since 2007 but have never sold online. It features vintage lucite, silver-plated filigree and chain. It covers the top of the wrist and is really a feminine and fun piece!

A 14 karat gold-filled chain bracelet with a heart charm and a Swarovski crystal cross.

Another favorite bracelet: silver-plated filigree hugs the top of the wrist completely and 4 chains wrap around to a swirling leaf toggle clasp. The flowered filigree is topped with a larger flower and leaves and centered with a light blue sparkling vintage rhinestone.

Shipping is always FREE on the Cluny Grey website for purchases over $50.00! Now FREE for Australia and New Zealand also!

Cluny Grey Jewelry

About Me

I am: Donna Morris, Donna Karber, Donna Cluny Gardner - in each phase of my life people have known me by different names. I definitely have changed as my name has changed however! Former English and Humanties teacher.